The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-11
THE GROWING CROP.
Figures Indicating Decline in the Yield of
Winter Wheat.


Figures Indicating a Decline in the Yield of
Winter Wheat
WASHINGTON, May 10.-The report of the De-
partment of Agriculture for May relates TO the
condition of winter grain, progress of spring
plowlug and proportion of the proposed cotton
area already planted. It indicates decline in
the condition Of wheat of two points since April
l. the general average for the whole country be-
ing Sc against 95 at the same date in 1856, 20 in
1885, and "a in 1884 The changes in condition
have not been uniform throughout the winter
wheat region, some states showing an increase.
the majority slight Decline aud few heavy
falling of. The States of the middle Atlantic
coast, from Pennsylvania to North Carolina
show improvement. seasonable weather
having aided the plant in recovering more than
was expected from the injury done by the trying
season during February and March. In New
York and New jersey the amount of winter
killing was not fully known on April L.
during the month, has caused a
serious reduction of condition. Drought
has reduced the average somewhat in the
Eastern Gulf States, and has wrought very
serious damage in Texas and Arkansas, lowering
the condition during the month nineteen and
ten points. respectively. Favorable temperature
and seasoi.able rains have improved the pros
pect in Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky,
condition being considerably higher in these
States than 1t has averaged in May for the past
five years. The most serious reduction of the
month is in Ohio, where there is falling off of
eight points since the 1st of April, due to the
continuing evil effects of the alternate freezing
and thawipg noted in the last report, and to the
cold, dry weather during the greater part of
April, which gave the injured plant little chance
for recuperation. A favorable season after
April 1 might have. in great measure, repaired
the injury done up to that time, but the contin-
ued unfavorable conditions have wrought still
further damage and a small crop is now inevit
able. Michigan and Indiana show slight de-
cline, while in Illinois and Missouri there
is a gain of one point Unfavorable weather
in Kansas and California has caused a slight
falling off, while in Oregon the prospect
has advanced, It being the only State in which
condition reaches 100 The averages OF ccndi-
tions by States New York. S6: Pennsylva-
MIA, 72; Maryland "a; Virginia so: North Caro-
lima, 80; Texas. 60; Arkansas. %; Tennessee. Co.
West Virginia 80; Kentucky, 80: Ohio, II: Mich
igan, 80; Indiana, 81; Illinois. SO; Missouri, S.
Kansas, 81; California. s9 Oregon. 10I
Rye has suffered from the same conditions
which have injuriously affected wheat, but on
account of it's bardier nature the general aver
age is considerably higher standing at 90 s
against 92 on April /, and 95 Z at the same date
in 1856 The condition of barley is low the av-
erage being 878 against SO in May 1885, and
81 N 1885.
The season has been more generally advanced
in all parts of the country than usual, spring
plowing being seriously behind only the At
lantic coast south to Pennsylvania, and on the
Pacific slope. In these sections it has been de-
layed by cold and excess of moisture. Else
where, the work is ahead of an average year.
the favorable season. especially during April,
having been generally favorable, with tempera-
ture above the normal and rainfall at mini
mum. The proportion already done on May IS
estimated at so per cent. of the whole, while the
amount usually completed at that date is about
16 per cent.